Second-Hand Dresses

Chapter 20: Cross Sell

High Society thrives on the appearance of the natural. Gone are the bright colors of the lower class leaving only golds, browns, and blacks.

—Juminar da Golid, The Perfect Society

"Thank-thank you!" said Falim na Maifir. "She looks so beautiful!"

Lily smiled and looked up at Dinsanas. The teenage girl couldn't be smiling any more and still have her head on her shoulders. The sea-green dress flowed down over her wide hips and became a shimmering wave that ended with a debutante sheer cream. She had used her magic to color the individual folds so there was an even transition from color to cream.

The top of the dress dress drew attention away from the young girl's shoulders and breasts but the flared collar worked perfectly to cradle her face, argumentatively her best asset.

Mindil, sitting primly on the bench next to Falim, handed a silk cloth for the crying mother. Her ever present smile brought a flutter to Lily's heart; they had been stealing kisses from each other most of the morning. For the most part, though, Mindil minded the front of the store while insisting that Lily work on finishing Dinsanas's dress for the first of two fittings.

Lily was thankful for the time. The dress fit better than she hoped, the young girl was dedicated to maintaining her figure for her presentations. There was only a few adjustments needed. She ran her hand along the chiffon and adjusted the colors slightly.

She looked up at Dinsanas. "Do you like it?"

"I... I... it's so beautiful! I love-love it!" She spun around, her eyes shimmering with her own tears. The hope and joy was palatable in the store.

Lily enjoyed it, basking in the joy. Yes, it was one of the minor events, a sports game in early evening with a celebration dinner. It wouldn't have the attention of most of the city, maybe only a few rags and gossips, but it was still one of her better jobs and she was proud of the work.

It was unfortunate that Djulian didn't see that.

Mindil cleared her throat.

Lily looked up guilty. When she saw Mindil shaking her thumb at her, she ducked her head and forced the despair from her heart. It took her a moment. As she calmed down, she noticed that Dinsanas wore simple slippers. "Have you gotten shoes for this dress? I might have to adjust for the heel."

Falim sighed. "We haven't had much luck. There isn't a single debutante shoe in this part of the town."

Mindil perked up. "Why don't you head over to Simil's? She has these beautiful three laces with an inch heel. They would look perfect with that dress."

Lily froze and then looked at her friend.

Falim made a low noise in her throat. "We tried that. She has beautiful shoes but they are all late season colors."

There was something mischievous about Mindil's smile. "Lily dea Kasin can color them to match the dress. It will be perfect."

Heat rushed through Lily. She had never thought about coloring shoes to match dresses before. The revelation made it hard to breath as she stared at Mindil and Falim.

Both the mother and daughter stared at Lily. "You-you can do that?" asked Falim.

It wasn't any different than coloring wood or hair. "Y-Yes."

Mindil winked at her. "I'm sure she'll do it for a discount since you already bought the dress. Maybe two hundred jems? Buying the proper shoes of color at this point will cost you five or six hundred."